Mary Mooney/The OregonianIsn't it cool to see our people taking over? Even for just a few days?

OK, we all knew it would be good, right? We hoped it would be great. Knitters, it pretty much defies words.

Picture a giant room crammed with everything knitterly you ever wanted or imagined. Add in crowds of friendly people and the sound of them having almost nonstop yarngasms. It's awesome. I am full of awe, and I have a nice big trash bag full of yarn, enough to make five pairs of wool socks and me-sized wool sweater, all for the amazing price of $83.16.

Yes. It's that good.

I went into this adventure with my friends Susan and Amy-the-Sock-and-Block-Knitter. They are treasured knitting buddies for many reasons, not least of which they a) know my personal finances well enough to physically drag me away from things I cannot afford; b) will not hesitate to let me know that my speculating out loud about the possibility of selling a chunk of my liver for yarn money (Hey, it's pristine, OK? If you needed a transplant, wouldn't you turn to a teetotaler?) is both illegal and embarrassing. So off we went.

Susan had the advantage of being a student, so she'd scoped out the place in advance and done some shopping, leaving her free to steer us to good deals. (As I said: a treasured knitting buddy.) Here's my take on things:

Best deals:Webs. They had Regia sock yarn for $4.69 a skein, and I got enough worsted wool to make myself a sweater for less than $25. Also check out Newton Yarn Company -- they're selling enormous amounts of superwash merino for half off. I got a skein of 1,800 yards (that is not a typo) for $16.50. (Also not a typo.)

Best funky stuff:Katrina's Wool World has vintage needle gauges and special holders for working balls of yarn. They've come in all shapes and sizes and have holes in them to thread the yarn through. My fave was a clear red plastic box with kittens on the top -- so kitty can see that enchanting ball of yarn moving as you work it, but can't pounce on it, shed on it or otherwise wreck it.

Best quote: "All yarn looks alike to me, but if I say that at home, I get hit." -- Large, mournful-looking older guy to me, as he trailed his petite wife and lugged her purchases. He declined to give his name.

Mary Mooney/The OregonianBijou Basin Ranch's booth. Beautiful stuff in natural colors. I defy you to see this yarn and not pet it.

Best splurge:Bijou Basin Ranch's yak yarn. It's blended with bamboo and various kinds of wool. It ain't cheap, but boy, is it luxurious. Amy bought some of this, and it's glorious. Also not something you'd normally buy at home, you know? When you check out their booth, be sure to try on the thrummed mittens. Incredible. Just incredible.

Best thing to do as a local: Help the tourists. In three separate encounters, I had the pleasure of explaining the concept of Fareless Square, giving directions to Powell's and informing someone that Oregon has no sales tax. It's fun to give people good news about our wonderful home, even if the sales tax lady seized my arm hard enough that her fingers practically met at the bone and gasped, "Really?"

Mary Mooney/The OregonianThe Sock Museum. Pretty socks you can examine, with their histories.

Don't miss: The Sock Museum. It's fun and educational, and if you collect knitting books, you'll be amazed at how many patterns you recognize from your book stash.

So that's my take. What's yours, oh knitterly friends? What'd you like best? Least? Come brag about deals you scored, swag you snagged or celebs you spotted. (I saw no one, but I think that's largely because I have the thus-far-unconquerable habit of never looking directly at people. One, I'm pathologically shy, and two, I grew up in New York, where making eye contact can get you killed. But I'm sure famous knitters were there!) Tell all!